Device for dustless drilling in the rock of mines



July 21, 1953 A. LBBl-:RT 2,646,256

DEVICE EOE DUsTLEss DRILLING 1N THE ROCK 0E MINES Filed Aug. 17. 1949 4 shets-sneet 1 ffy. l

A/V7'0/V 1.5551597" A. LBBERT 2,646,256

DEVICE FOR DUsTLEss DRILLING IN THE Rocx oF MINES July 21, 1953 Y 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 l Filed Aug. 17. 1949 /m/enlar:

ANTON Lf/v July 21, 1953 A. LBBERT 2,646,256

DEVICE FOR DUSTLESS DRILLING IN THE ROCK OF MINES Filed Aug. 17, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 July 21, 1953 A. LBBERT DEVICE FOR DUSTLESS DRILLING IN THE ROCK OF MINES Filed Aug. l?, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented July 21, 1953 l I 5 UNITED Vs'rgli-:s ,l ,PATENT I .OFFICE navos Foa nUs'TLEss DRILLING IN'THE ROCK or MINES Anton Lbbert, Utfort uber Moers, Germany Y Application August 17, 1949, Serial No. 110,688

In France September 26,1946

Y'the-,shaft of the drill at the place where it enters the cap, and also with sealing means adapted to snugly fit Varound the drill-hole when the drilling'work is going on. f

The object of the invention is to provide a cap of the aforesaid type which is so devised that, in spite of the movements of the drill during the 2 Claims. (Cl. Z55-50) vdrilling work, `a snug and perfect fit of its Dack- Y ing and sealing means at the drill and at the drill-hole is reliably guaranteed, andvwhich, in

addition to that, is adapted for dry drilling in such a way that the drillings are removed from In other devices, in which the 'dust-collecting contrivances are rigidly applied to the faceA of the rock, Vthe drill is. arranged in a somewhat more elastic way. However, the adaptability of these arrangements is limited to the rotary movements of the drill and to the shifting movement of the latter in the feed direction, or to some lateral displacements of the drill, While no or insuiiicient attention has been given to the unavoidable oscillatory movements of the drill, with the result that no tight tting closure is produced Vand that the dust is lnot successfully prevented from escaping from the collecting means after having been caught up in them. Contrary to this the packing means of the invention are so devisedk and so arranged that they are from all sides elastically pressing against the shaft'of the drill, so thatl the drill and the packing means surrounding it can radially oscillate in all directions in such a way that a snug and tight Y' t of the packing means around the drill is at the device without the formation of dust, Whereby, however, the invention is not conned to dry drilling only.

l 1n order to obtain that the driuings are caught up by'and removedfrom the device in a satisfactory manner, i. e. without the formation of dust, it is necessary that the packing and sealing means are so devised that the snug fit of the"v latter around the shaft of the drill and around lthe dru1no1e is at no time affected by the movementszof the drill. I'he aforesaid requirements have not been fulfilled by any of the'devices employed hitherto for the purpose in question, and that is Why'it has been impossible up to this time todo dry-drilling without the formation of dust, although the elimination of. dust isa necessity sine qua non to prevent silicose, a disease caused by therpresence ofmineral dust. Until now the formation of dust has caused particular difficulties in steep drilling, as in Work of this kind the formation of dust could not be prevented by the admission'of water to the drill-hole, because of the downflow of the Water upon the miner workthe .place where it enters the dust-collecting means, has-been; completely neglected.

all times reliably guaranteed, and that the proper operation of the entire device is in no way interfered with by the movements of the drill.A

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be understood from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that the invention is not coniined to any strict conformity with the drawings, but may be' changed or modied, so long as such changes or Ymodifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. I Y

In the drawings, in which similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in all of the several figures,

' Fig. 1 is an elevational sectional view of the cap;

Fig. 2 is a bottom viewvof the projecting portion on the right side of Fig. l, containing the packing means through which the drill extends into the cap;

Fig. 3 is an elevational view, partly in section, of a cap provided with packing and sealing means yoperated with the aid of compressed air;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal cross-section through the pressed against the vface of the rock, and a lower 3 portion containing the packingy means for the drill;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatical illustration of a cap adapted for operation in horizontal position, showing the construction of the drill and of the conveying means for the drill-dust;

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatical illustration of the side of the cap at which the drill is introduced into it; y

Fig. l is a longitudinal view of the cap of Fig. 8, showing the outer appearance of the device.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the reff erence numeral l denotes the cap provided with an annular recess 2, in which the sealing means 3 is arranged, which may consistof sponge rubber or the like, and which is forced against the face of the rook with the aid of a pressure column operated by means of compressed air. In the construction illustrated in Fig. l the pressure column engages the cap at E, While in the form of invention shown in Fig. 3 the pressure column' 5 acts upon the cap through the intermediary of the pressure member l. In the modification pictured in Fig. 7 the cap is provided with the coupling members d? by means of which the cap is secured to a fork-shaped pressure member of the pressure column.

In Fig. l the cap has been provided with a laterally projecting portion Q through which extends the drill lll and in which the packing means Il for the shaft of the drill have been arranged. These packing means consist of sponge rubber and the longitudinal section of these packing means `is of T-shaped conformation. The T- iiange l 2 of the packing means faces the opening through vvh'ich'the drill extends into the cap, while the sleeve-like stem of the packing means is surrounded by two pressure members I3, which with the aid of the elastic rings M are pulled against the packing means i i and thereby7 force the packing means against the shaft of the drill H3. rhe packing means may be cut,lin axial direction, into tvvo halves, so that they can conveniently be arranged around the shaft of the drill.

Rotatably secured to one side of the free end of the projecting kportion Si is the fork-shaped member i5, whose free ends engage in the slots I6 when the member l5 is moved into locking position. Interposed between the fork l and the members I3 is a spring l'i, which is bearing against the underside of the fork and urges the members 3 and the packing means ll embraced by them against the opening through which the drill l extends into the cap. The flange i2 of the packing means bears against a steel plate I8 of particularly wear-resisting material surrounding the opening through Which the shaft of the drill extends into the cap. The plate I8 prevents the cap from being damaged by the shocks of the drill, if the latter, during the drilling Work, should come in contact with the edges of the opening through which it extends.

For the removal of the drill-dust the invention provides the outlet branch I9. The bottom 2! of the cap is of inclined formation toward the outlet branch i9, so that the drill-dust automatically flows into it and thus is removed from the cap.

Attached to the outlet branch I9 is a bag 2l, which preferably should be of paper, and which may be provided with a neck-portion 22, so that it fits snugly around the outlet branch after having been slipped onto it. The neck portion 22 may be secured in position around the outlet branch i9 by means of a tensioning ring 23, which, after the neck portion has been slipped onto the branch AIl() is pushed over the neck portion and made to ene gage in a circular groove provided in the outlet branch for that purpose. The tensioning ring may be of rubber or the like.

It is further advisable to provide the paper bag with suitable closing means, which may consist of a cord 2d, as indicated in dash lines in Fig. l. As soon as the paper bag is filled with drill dust it is removed from the branch and transported to a suitable storing place for the dust.

In the modification illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 the construction of the cap has been somewhat simplified. Here the cap is provided at the capbottom with a casing 25 in which as packing means for the drill a rubber sponge 2S has been arranged. These packing means can be vulcanized to the cylindrical Walls of the casing and have been provided with an outer annular groove 21 equipped with a rubber strip 26. It is further possible to provide the casing at its upper portion, as indicated in dotted lines, with an annular collar, which above the annular groove 21 engages the rubber sponge 26, and acts as a sealing counter-support when the compressed air is pressing against the rubber packing. Secured to the casing 25 is a connecting branch 29 which connects the lannular groove 21 with a source of compressed air.

It is also feasible to arrange in the annular groove a rubber hose, having one of its ends connected to the connecting branch 29, while its other end terminates at the latter. In this case it is not necessary to vulcanize the packing means to the casing, nor will the annular collar be needed then.

The'compressed air in the channel 21, acting in all directions forces the rubber sponge against the shaft of the drill Ii) and against the upper wall 33 of the casing 2d, which constitutes the countersupport for the packing means which is secured to the bottom of the casing. When during the drilling operations the drill is performing oscillatory or axial reciprocating movements, such movements will not be transmitted to the cap and Will not interfere with the proper functioning of the packing means at the shaft of the drill and at the counter-support, because of the elastic construction of the rubber sponge.

In the construction of Figs. 3 and 4 the sealing means of the cap at the face of the rock 4 consist 'again of sponge-rubber. In addition to this the sealing means are forced against the rock with the aid of compressed air, for which purpose the sponge rubber has been provided With an outer annular groove 3l, in which a rubber strip 32 is arranged. 'By means of the connecting branch 33 the annular groove is connected with a source of compressed air.

The casing 25 has been axially divided into two halves, whereby the two halves are hingedly joined together at 34 (see Fig. 4). At the opposite side of the joint 3d the casing has been provided with the locking means 35. The rubber sponge has been vertically out open on one of its sides, so that it' can conveniently be placed. around the shaft of the drill.

If the cross-section of the shaft of the drill is not of circular but flat or similar formation it is necessary to provide the shaft with a sleeve 35, as indicated in Figs. 5 and 6. The sleeve 35 is round on its outside, While its inner opening is adapted in shape to the cross-section of the shaft of the drill. A soft inner lining 3l guarantees a snug t around the shaft. Accurate adjustment of the two halves of the sleeve around Ythe shaft is -struction of Fig. 1..

'obtainedwith'theaid of theV pins 38, secured to one of the two halves and engaging in bores of the other half of the sleeve. The upper end of the sleeve is provided with a collar 39 designed .to retain the sleeve in the packing means.

The oscillatory movements performed by the of ithe drill withinY the packing means it is ad- Y visable to provide the latter at the places at which they are in contact with the shaft with a coat of graphite, or to apply to theshaft a thin lm of parafline or wax by making it pass between suitable application means therefor prior to entering the packing means. If the dust is removed with theaid of water, the water will simultaneously act as a lubricant. But it is also possible to provide the packing means adjacent thelshaft with linings of felt interspersed with graphite;

' The upper end of the cap may be provided with the distance regulating pins 51, lwhich limit the shifting movement of the cap, via the column 6,

toward the face of the rock. The position of the pins 51 has been indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3. In the construction illustrated in this gure the pressing of the rubber sealing means trated in Fig. 7. In this form of the invention the cap is subdivided into an upper portion 42 and a lower portion 43, whereby the upper portionwith its sealing means 3 is pressed against the rock, while the lower portion is provided with the outlet branch |9 to which the paper bag is attached, and the packing means for the shaft of the drill, wherebyrthe packing means maycorrespond to those required for the con- The aforesaid two portions of the cap have been joined together with the aid of horizontally in all directions elastic coupling means. This coupling means consists of a piece of rubberhose 44 and of va helical spring45 positioned in the latter. The upperend of the helical spring passes through four projections 46, provided at the upper portion 42 and the lower end passes through four projectionsA in the lower portion 43.

The lower cap portion 43 is provided with an oblique bottom 59. The packing for the drill comprises two shells 60 of soft material, each of which is disposed in-a bearing shell 6|. A spring ring 62 presses the shells 6| and the packing shells 60 closely against the shaft of the drill. A rubber gasket 63 is provided above the packshoulder 64.

The upper portion 42 isv further provided, be-

gemene neath the recess, inwhich the sealing' means 3 is arranged, with the coupling members 41, in which engages a fork-shaped. pressure member of the pressure column. "These coupling members may be secured to' a rotatable ring, so that, apart Yfrom the turning possibilities provided by the pressure column, the cap can be moved into such a position that'the angle of inclination required for the orderly flow of the drill dust into the outlet branch is thereby created. i

If the position of the hole to be drilled Vis not sufliciently inclined for the drill dust to ow'out I of it by gravity, as will be the case when the drilling takes place close to the floor of the mine, the construction of the cap may bedevised as illustrated in Figs. 8 t0 l0. In this form of the invention the upper portion of the cap, including the sealing means 3, is mounted on a hollow shaft 48, which is .of smaller diameter than the 'upper portion and which, at its opposite end, carries the: casing 49 for the packing means through which the drill extends into the hollow shaft 48 and into the upper portion of the cap.

Secured to the hollow shaft 48, in substantially tangential direction thereof, isa discharge pipe 50, in which a screw conveyor 5| is arrangedV which is working in ascending direction and whose windings may consist of elastic material, such as rubber or the like. ConnectedV tothe discharge pipe v5|), adjacent the upper endof 'the Vscrew conveyor 5|, is an outlet branch I9Y for the attachment of paper bags for the drill dust. Mounted on the free end of the discharge pipe 56 arethe packing means 58 for the shaft of the screw conveyor 5|, and connected to the upper end of that shaft is amotor 52, which may be of the air turbine type.

, The twisted drill 53 is provided with a circular shaft 54, the length of which depends upon the selected length of the twisted drill, i. e. upon the feed length of the drill, so that the circular shaft 54 has to be at least as long as the twisted drill plus the packing means in the casing 49 through which it extends. The length of the hollow shaft 48 depends upon the length of .the twisted drill. F

The discharge 'pipe 50 and the hollow shaft 48 are secured together by means of an arm 55.

vIn addition tothis the discharge pipe 50 is provided with a supporting member 56, so that the device can be placedv in horizontal position of mines, a dust-collecting housing including a p rigid portion supported by a standard and provided with elastic sealing means adapted to snugly fit around the drill-hole; an opening in said housing defining a shoulder externally of said housing; a tubular portion projecting from and connected to said dust-collecting housing and surrounding said opening thereof; a crossmember extending across and secured to the free end of said tubular portion; a drill extending through said cross-member and said tubularv lar stub for the drill-dust connected to said dustcollecting housing, said cross-member being bifuroated and at one end .hingedly secured to said tubular portion, and said tubular portion being provided with locking means adapted to releasably secure the free end of said cross-member in locked position.

2. n a device for dustless drilling in the rock of mines, a dust-collecting housing including a rigid portion supported by a standard and provided with elastic sealing means adapted to snugly rit around the drill-hole; an opening in said housing defining a shoulder externally of said housing; a tubular portion projecting from and connected to said dust-collecting housing andsurrounding saidjopening thereof; a cross'- member extending across and Secured to the free end of said tubular portion; a drill extending through said cross-member and said tubular portion and said opening into said dust-collecting housing; elastic packing means arranged in said tubular portion and adapted to snugly surround said drill; a helical spring arranged in said tubular portion between said packing means and said cross-member and adapted to press said packing means against said shoulder While bearing against said cross-member; and a tubular stub for the drill-dust connected to said dustcollecting housing, said packing being of substantially T-shaped cross-section longitudinally thereof and being provided with lateral pressing members around the stem of said T forcing it against said drill, and the cross-bar of said T constituting the ange of said packing means resting against said shoulder surrounding said opening in said dust-collecting housing.

ANTON LBBERT.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 895,228 Bartlett Aug. 4, 1908 1,003,075 Wahlstrom Sept. 12, 1911 A1,057,568 Mayer et al. Apr. 1, 1913 1,127,225 Galligan Feb. 2, 1915 1,128,674 Galligan Feb. 16, 1915 1,128,675 Galligan Feb.y 16, 1915 1,131,009 Rylander Mar. 9, 1915 1,850,317 Dikant Mar. 22, 1932 2,041,689 Baumeister et al. May 26, 1936 2,107,552 Smith Feb. 8, 1938 2,167,220 Schemel July 25, 1939 2,327,497 Burch et a1 Aug. 24, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 589,558 Germany Dec. 11, 1933 417,865 Great Britain Oct. 12, 1934 1,006,085 France Jan. 9, 1952 

